JP5548915B2 - Remote control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a human interface technology capable of easily selecting content on a television or the like.

  The types of media and contents handled in receiving terminal devices such as television receivers are increasing due to the increase in broadcasting multi-channels and the fusion of broadcasting and communication. In response to this, a remote control device that operates the receiving terminal device at hand is also required to be suitable for handling a large amount of content. For example, in a conventional remote control device for a television receiver, almost all contents can be selected with several buttons in addition to a numeric keypad button. However, under the current environment where a large amount of content is handled, there is a need for a remote control device that supports content selection navigation that allows more intuitive operations, such as selecting thumbnails on a display screen.

JP 2006-211125 A

  When an operation is attempted with a conventional remote controller, it is necessary to always use the display of the television device for an intuitive operation. This is because the remote control could not present a sufficient amount of information that humans can feel intuitively. Therefore, it is necessary to always display the screen on the television device even if the operation is not originally required to be displayed on the television device. For example, in order to select a program via video, the video had to be displayed and shown on the television itself. In this example, television screens that should be used for viewing, especially recently, large screens, must be operated in preparation procedures prior to viewing, so inefficiency in terms of reducing energy consumption. I could not deny it. If the process required by the user is specified, the minimum process required for the specified process (for example, the program can be selected by displaying the recommended program video on the remote control even in the TV standby state. If an operation signal is transmitted from the remote controller so that the amount of turning per unit operation is changed even with the same turning operation according to the amount of content, a more efficient system should be obtained. Therefore, the inventors thought that the operation of the interface for the user should be made efficient by acquiring the processing required by the user through the information indicating the state of the television apparatus. Therefore, as described above, there is a problem of efficient operation of the interface for the user in the remote control system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following remote control system. First, it is possible for the television device to send control state information and navigation information that supports selection of contents and functions to the remote control device, and the remote control device responds to the control state information and navigation information, A remote control system capable of displaying guidance is provided.

Specifically, a viewing unit for viewing content, a control unit for bringing the internal device into a predetermined control state, a control state information generation unit for generating control state information for transmission to the remote control device, A television apparatus comprising: a navigation information generating unit that generates navigation information that is information for assisting a user in selecting content for transmission to a remote control device; and a television-side communication unit that communicates with the remote control device. A remote control side communication unit for communicating with the television device, a control state information obtaining unit for obtaining control state information from the television device,
A remote control system including a navigation information acquisition unit that acquires navigation information from a television device, and a remote control device that includes a guidance window unit that displays guidance based on navigation information according to control state information.

  The second is a remote control system that can display navigation information based on the first remote control system by detecting whether or not the remote control device is in a standby state of the television based on the control state information. For example, it is possible to control such as displaying program information currently being broadcast only in a standby state. Specifically, the control state information generation unit in the television device of the first remote control system has standby control state information generation means for generating standby control state information indicating the standby control state as the control state information. The guidance window unit is a remote control system having a standby guidance window means for performing the display based on standby control status information acquired as control status information.

  The third is a remote control system in which the remote control device can receive navigation information of content that can be viewed from the television device and display it on the remote control device side based on the first and second remote control systems. . Specifically, the navigation information generation unit in the television device of the first or second remote control system has navigation video information generation means for generating navigation video information that is video information of content that can be viewed as navigation information, The guidance window unit in the remote control device is a remote control system having navigation video guidance means for displaying a navigation video as guidance based on navigation video information that is navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit.

  Fourth, on the basis of the second and third remote control system based on the second configuration, it is possible to control to stop the guidance display on the remote control when shifting from the standby state to the viewing state. It is a remote control system. Specifically, the control state information generation unit in the television device of the second and third remote control systems subordinate to the second generates normal operation control state information indicating the normal operation control state as control state information. It has normal operation controllable state information generating means, and the guidance window section in the remote control device has stop means for stopping the display by the standby guidance window means based on the normal controllable control state information acquired as control state information It is a remote control system.

  Fifth, the remote control device can acquire control state information from the television device, and the remote control device can acquire operation information from the user based on the control state information and transmit it as an operation signal to the television device. It is.

  Specifically, a viewing unit for viewing content, a control unit for bringing the internal device into a predetermined control state, a control state information generation unit for generating control state information for transmission to the remote control device, A television device having a television side communication unit for communicating with the remote control device, a remote control side communication unit for communicating with the television device, a control state information obtaining unit for obtaining control state information from the television device, and the television device An operation information acquisition unit that acquires operation information from a user for operating the control unit, an operation signal generation unit that generates an operation signal to be transmitted to the television apparatus based on the control state information and the operation information, A remote control system including the remote control device.

  Sixth, on the basis of the fifth remote control system, the remote control system is capable of generating an operation signal based on the acquired operation information and control state information, holding a rule for the remote control device to generate an operation signal It is. Specifically, the remote control device of the fifth remote control system has a rule holding unit that holds a rule for generating an operation signal based on the control state information, and the operation signal generation unit of the remote control device is held. A remote control system having rule dependency generation means for generating an operation signal according to the rule.

  Seventh, on the basis of the fifth or sixth remote control system, the television device can acquire content amount information, the information is transmitted to the remote control device, and the remote control device receives the received information and the control state information. Is a remote control system capable of generating an operation signal based on the above. Specifically, the television device in the fifth or sixth remote control system has a content amount information acquisition unit that acquires content amount information that is information indicating the amount of content that can be viewed for transmission to the remote control device. The operation signal generation unit of the remote control device is a remote control system having content amount dependent operation signal generation means for generating an operation signal in accordance with the acquired content amount information.

  According to the first invention having the above-described configuration, the remote control device can acquire navigation information that supports selection of content and the like from the television device. As a result, for example, the program name or program information of the currently viewed program or the back program is acquired by the remote control device and displayed, so that the processing for supporting the selection of the content or the like can be executed.

  In addition, according to the second invention, the remote control device can further acquire information on whether or not the television device is in a standby state. Thus, for example, when the television is in a standby state, recommended content is extracted from EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data of the viewing history stored in the television device, and the title of the content and data such as program information are extracted from the remote control device. It is possible to execute processing to be displayed on the screen.

  According to the third invention, the remote control device can acquire video information from the television device and display guide information based on the video information. Thereby, for example, the video of the back program channel can be acquired and viewed on the remote control device while viewing a channel that is a television device, or the video information of a related content can be displayed while viewing a certain content. Is possible.

  According to the fourth invention, the remote control device can stop the display on the remote control device when the television device shifts from the standby state to the normal viewing state. As a result, the subject of information presentation can be shifted from the remote control to the television apparatus, and thereafter, it is possible to explicitly indicate to the user that navigation of content or the like is performed on the television apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect, the operation system on the remote control device side can be flexibly changed in accordance with the state on the television device side. As a result, it is possible to perform an efficient and convenient selection operation of content and the like. For example, on the screen that moves the selection cursor up, down, left, and right on the TV device side, select the input signal on the input device so that it is easy to accept the operation of moving the cursor up, down, left, and right on the remote control device side It is possible to perform control.

  According to the sixth invention, the remote control device can further transmit an operation signal to the television device based on the operation signal generation rule held in the device. As a result, the input device is controlled so as to accept the optimum operation in accordance with the navigation mode (for example, two-dimensional navigation or circular coordinate system navigation) included in the control state information in the selection scene of content and the like. Can be processed. Then, it is possible to perform selection support of content etc. by navigation optimal for the type of content etc. to be selected.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the remote control device acquires content amount information acquired by the television device, and an operation signal can be generated according to the acquired content amount information. As a result, even within a navigation space constructed in the same coordinate system, processing for increasing the amount of movement for one operation can be performed according to the amount of content. As a result, a quick and convenient search and selection process is possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the first embodiment, claims 1 and 8 will be mainly described. The second embodiment will mainly describe Claim 2. The third embodiment will mainly describe Claim 3. The fourth embodiment will mainly describe Claim 4. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe claims 5 and 9. The sixth embodiment will mainly describe Claim 6. The seventh embodiment will mainly describe Claim 7.

Example 1
<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing operations of the remote control device and the television device, and is a diagram for explaining an example of processing by the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, a remote control device (0102) operated by a touch panel accepts a channel selection operation. The television device (0101) displays a screen of the currently selected terrestrial digital broadcast 1ch. Here, the television apparatus (0101) has information (“terrestrial (media ID) digital 1ch (content ID)”) as control state information and information on broadcast contents “main items ...” currently selected as navigation information ( 0103) to the remote control device (0102). Details of the control state information and the navigation information will be described later.

  As described above, the remote control system of the present invention can generate the information (0103) and the like as described above in the television device (0101) and transmit the information (0103) to the remote control device (0102). In the remote control device (0102), it is possible to perform a guidance display for supporting processing such as selection of contents and media based on the received information (0103).

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (0201) and a “remote control device” (0202). The “television device” (0201) includes a “control unit” (0203), a “control state information generation unit” (0204), a “television communication unit” (0205), a “viewing unit” (0206), A “navigation information generation unit” (0207). The “remote control device” (0202) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (0208), a “control state information acquisition unit” (0209), a “guidance window unit” (0210), and a “navigation information acquisition unit” (0211). ).

  Note that the functional blocks of the video processing apparatus described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a main memory, a bus, or a secondary recording medium (a storage medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and a reading drive for the medium) Etc.), hardware components such as printing devices, display devices, other external peripheral devices, I / O ports for the external peripheral devices, driver programs for controlling the hardware, other application programs, and information input Examples include user interfaces that are used.

  In addition, these hardware and software processes the programs developed on the main memory with the CPU, and processes, stores, and outputs the data held on the memory and hard disk and the data input via the interface. It is used for processing or controlling each hardware component. The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  The “viewing unit” (0206) has a function for viewing content on the television device (0201). “Content” refers to broadcasts displayed on the television device (0201), video and audio data recorded on a medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, and the like. In addition to the above, a content selection screen such as a screen for selecting a broadcast channel, a screen for selecting data recorded on a medium, a setting menu screen such as a channel setting screen, a media selection screen, etc. A navigation screen and the like are included. The “function for viewing” is a function for displaying the screen. Specifically, a tuner that receives a broadcast, a decoder, a back-end circuit that holds and generates a navigation screen, an optical disk or magnetic disk that records video and audio, a display device that outputs video, a speaker that outputs audio, A function provided by a device such as a power supply device for driving these devices is included. The above functions are controlled and provided by a control signal output from a control unit (0203) described later.

  The “control unit” (0203) has a function for bringing the internal device into a predetermined control state. The “internal device” includes a device such as a tuner constituting the viewing unit (0206) described above, as well as a “control state information generation unit” (0204) and a “television side communication unit” (0205) described later. , And the devices in the television apparatus (0201) that constitute the “navigation information generation unit” (0207). The “function for setting to a predetermined control state” means that a control signal is transmitted / received to / from an internal device, the state of each device is acquired and changed, and the function of the television device (0201) is exhibited.

  The “control state information generation unit” (0204) has a function of generating control state information to be transmitted to the remote control device. Specifically, the state of the television device (0201) is acquired from the control unit (0203), converted into control state information to be output to the remote control device (0202), and is transmitted via the television side communication unit (0205). Transmission to the remote control device (0202). The “control state information” is described based on the state in the television device (0201) and refers to information provided for performing guidance display on the remote control device (0202). For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (0103), the currently active function (for example, channel setting, remote control code setting, etc.), media ID (for example, terrestrial digital broadcasting, DVD, VOD, etc.), content ID ( For example, a channel, a program name, and a URL) can be considered. The data format may simply describe the state data, or may include a control command based on the rules held in this department.

  The “navigation information generation unit” (0207) has a function of generating navigation information that is information for helping the user to select content for transmission to the remote control device. Specifically, this means that data is received from the viewing unit (0206) and converted into navigation information for displaying guidance on the remote control device (0202). “Navigation information” is information constituting a guidance display displayed in the guidance window portion (0210) of the remote control device (0202). For example, metadata of content stored in the “television device” (0201), thumbnail data, data obtained by converting a moving image into a slide show, and the like can be considered. The navigation information data is output to the television communication unit (0205) and transmitted to the remote control device (0202).

  The “television-side communication unit” (0205) has a function for communicating with the remote control device. Specifically, the control state information data generated by the control state information generation unit (0204) and the navigation information data generated by the navigation information generation unit (0207) are received as input and encoded by a predetermined communication method. Then, the data is output to the remote control side communication unit (0208) on the remote control device (0202) side. Here, the predetermined communication method is a design matter. The communication medium is also a design matter, and may be infrared rays, or may be a radio wave or a wired line using Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like.

  The “remote control side communication unit” (0208) has a function for communicating with the television apparatus. Specifically, a signal transmitted from the television side communication unit (0205) of the television device (0201) is received and output as data to the control state information acquisition unit (0209) and the navigation information acquisition unit (0211). . The communication method and the communication medium are design matters as described in “TV side communication unit” (0205).

  The “control state information acquisition unit” (0209) has a function of acquiring control state information from the television apparatus. Specifically, control state information data is acquired from data input from the television apparatus (0201) via the remote control side communication unit (0208), and is output as control state information to a guidance window unit (0210) described later. “Obtain control state information data” refers to taking out control state information data from data input from the remote control side communication unit (0208) and converting it into a format usable by the guidance window unit (0210). The “available format” here defines the display format (style, arrangement, size, etc.) of the navigation information displayed by the guidance window section (0210).

  The “navigation information acquisition unit” (0211) has a function of acquiring navigation information from the television device. Specifically, navigation information data is acquired from data input from the television device (0201) via the remote control side communication unit (0208), and is output as navigation information to a guidance window unit (0201) described later. “Acquisition of navigation information data” means that the navigation information data is extracted from the data input from the remote control side communication unit (0208), as in the “control state information acquisition unit” (0209), and the guidance window unit (0210). Refers to converting to an available format.

  The “guidance window section” (0210) has a function of displaying guidance based on navigation information in accordance with control state information. Specifically, the control state information is received as input data from the “control state information acquisition unit” (0209) and the navigation information is received as input data from the “navigation information acquisition unit” (0211), and a guidance display video and audio are configured and displayed. For example, video and audio are displayed and output. For example, when 1 channel of digital terrestrial broadcasting is being viewed in the viewing unit (0206) of the television apparatus (0201), control is performed such as “display format—> channel selection display, display information—> 1 channel EPG data”. “Channel selection display” as status information and “1c EPG data” as navigation information are received as inputs, and a guidance display displayed on, for example, the remote control device (0102) of FIG. 1 is constructed and displayed as guidance display video.

<Process flow>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, control state information is generated on the television device side (step S0301). Next, navigation information is generated (step S0302). Then, the generated information is transmitted to the remote control device (step S0303). This is received on the remote control device side (step S0304). Control state information is acquired from the received information (step S0305), and navigation information is acquired (step S0306). Thereafter, guidance based on the navigation information is displayed according to the acquired control state information (step S0307).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (0401) and a “television device” (0402). The remote control device (0401) includes a “microcomputer” (0403), a “touch panel” (0404), and an “infrared light receiving element” (0405). The “microcomputer” (0403) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0406), “RAM” (0407), and “ROM” (0408) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (0402) performs “front microcomputer” (0410) for controlling communication with the remote controller and “infrared light emitting element” (0411), performs decoding of video and audio, and overall control of various functions. “Back-end LSI” (0412), “RAM” (0413) and “ROM” (0414) connected thereto, “Tuner” (0415) for receiving broadcasts, and “LCD” connected via the driver LSI (Liquid crystal display) "(0416) and the like. The “front microcomputer” (0410) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0417), a “RAM” (0418), and a “ROM” (0419) in the chip, which are connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, a broadcast is received by the tuner (0415), and a signal including video and audio, EPG, and the like is input to the back-end LSI (0412). Then, Demux processing and decoding processing are performed in the back-end LSI. The RAM (0413) stores variables S1... Sk representing the current control state for k elements acquired in the back-end LSI. These values are updated when the state of the remote control system changes. The updated value of the variable St is output to the front microcomputer (0410) and stored in the variable V of the RAM (0418) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (0417) according to the rules stored in the ROM (0419), and the control state information data C is generated. On the other hand, video information and data information input from the back-end LSI are processed by the back-end LSI and output to the front microcomputer. Then, it is stored in the RAM (0418) as a value of a variable N for storing navigation information data. N and C are converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light emitting element (0411) to the infrared light receiving element (0405) of the remote control device (0401). The transmitted signal is decoded into C and N in the microcomputer (0403) of the remote control device (0401). C and N are evaluated by the CPU (0404) according to the rules stored in the ROM (0408), and a display screen is generated. This is output to the touch panel (0404) and displayed as a guidance display.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, according to the remote control system of the present embodiment, the remote control device can acquire navigation information that supports selection of content and the like from the television device. As a result, for example, the program name or program information of the currently viewed program or the back program is acquired by the remote control device and displayed, so that the processing for supporting the selection of the content or the like can be executed.

<< Example 2 >>
<Overview>
In the remote control system of the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the remote control system described in the above embodiment, control state information indicating standby time can be acquired. By transmitting this to the remote control device together with the navigation information, it is possible to execute processing for displaying guide information on the remote control device in the standby state.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment has a “television device” (0501) and a “remote control device” (0502) based on the remote control system of the first embodiment. The “television device” (0501) includes a “control unit” (0503), a “control state information generation unit” (0504), a “television communication unit” (0505), a “viewing unit” (0506), A “navigation information generation unit” (0507). The “remote control device” (0502) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (0508), a “control state information acquisition unit” (0509), a “guidance window unit” (0510), and a “navigation information acquisition unit” (0511). ). Since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. In the remote control system of the present embodiment, the “control state information generation unit” (0504) of the “television device” (0501) replaces the “standby control state information generation means” (0512) with the “guidance” of the “remote control device” (0502). The “window section” (0510) newly has “standby guidance window means” (0513).

  The “standby control state information generating means” (0512) has a function of generating standby control state information indicating the standby control state as control state information. Specifically, it is detected by acquiring a signal from the control unit that the television apparatus (0501) is in a standby state, and output to the television side communication unit (0505) as control state information data. The “standby control state” refers to a state in which no video or audio is output from the television device (0501). Therefore, although video and audio are not output, a state in which processing other than video display and audio output, such as reception of other broadcasts, is performed in the background is also included.

  The “standby guidance window means” (0513) has a function of performing the display based on the standby control state information acquired as the control state information. Here, the display refers to a guidance display based on navigation information. This means receives navigation information from the navigation information acquisition unit (0511) and control state information including standby control state information from the control state information acquisition unit (0509) as inputs. In this means, guidance display data to be displayed during standby is generated and displayed on the display device.

<Process flow>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow during standby in the remote control system according to the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, the television apparatus determines whether or not it is in a standby state (step S0601). If it is determined that it is in the standby state, standby control state information is generated (step S0602), and then navigation information generation processing (step S0603) is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined not to be in the standby state, navigation information generation processing (step S0603) is performed. Then, the generated information is transmitted to the remote control device (step S0604). This is received on the remote control device side (step S0605). Control state information is acquired from the received information (step S0606), and navigation information is acquired (step S0607). Thereafter, guidance based on the standby control information and the navigation information is displayed according to the acquired control state information (step S0608).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the remote control system when the functional components described above are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (0701) and a “television device” (0702). The remote control device (0701) includes a “microcomputer” (0703), a “touch panel” (0704), and an “infrared light receiving element” (0705). The “microcomputer” (0703) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0706), “RAM” (0707), and “ROM” (0708) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (0702) performs “development of video and audio” and overall control of various functions with “front microcomputer” (0710) and “infrared light emitting element” (0711) for controlling communication with the remote controller. “Back-end LSI” (0712), “RAM” (0713) and “ROM” (0714) connected thereto, “Tuner” (0715) for receiving broadcasts, and “LCD” connected via the driver LSI (Liquid Crystal Display) ”(0716) and the like. The “front microcomputer” (0710) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0717), a “RAM” (0718), and a “ROM” (0719) in the chip, which are connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, on the RAM (0713), variables S1... Sk representing the current control state are stored for k elements acquired in the back-end LSI. When the television apparatus enters the standby state, the value of the variable Ss indicating whether the television apparatus is in the standby state is changed. The updated value of the variable Ss is output to the front microcomputer (0710) and stored in the variable V of the RAM (0718) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (0717) according to the rules stored in the ROM (0719), and the control state information data C is generated. On the other hand, video information and data information input from the back-end LSI are processed by the back-end LSI and output to the front microcomputer. Then, it is stored in the RAM (0718) as a value of a variable N for storing navigation information data. N and C are converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light emitting element (0711) to the infrared light receiving element (0705) of the remote control device (0701). The transmitted signal is decoded into C and N in the microcomputer (0703) of the remote control device (0701). C and N are evaluated by the CPU (0706) according to the rules stored in the ROM (0708), and a standby display screen is generated. This is output to the touch panel (0704) and displayed as a guidance display.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the remote control apparatus according to the present embodiment can acquire information on whether or not the television apparatus is in the standby state. Thus, for example, when the television is in a standby state, recommended content is extracted from EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data of the viewing history stored in the television device, and the title of the content and data such as program information are extracted from the remote control device. It is possible to execute processing to be displayed on the screen.

Example 3
<Overview>
The remote control system of the present embodiment is a remote control system capable of processing to include video information in navigation information based on the above embodiment. With the remote control system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display a video as a thumbnail and display it on the remote control, or to display the thumbnailed video in a ring file metaphor GUI and display it on the remote control. This makes it possible to generate a more intuitive guidance display on the remote control device.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the video processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and includes a “television device” (0801) and a “remote control device” (0802). The “television device” (0801) includes a “control unit” (0803), a “control state information generation unit” (0804), a “television communication unit” (0805), a “viewing unit” (0806), A “navigation information generation unit” (0807). The “remote control device” (0802) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (0808), a “control state information acquisition unit” (0809), a “guidance window unit” (0810), and a “navigation information acquisition unit” (0811). ). Since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. The feature point of the remote control system of this embodiment is that the “navigation information generation unit” (0807) further has “navigation video information generation means” (0814), and the “guidance window unit” (0810) further includes “navigation”. It is a point which has an image | video guidance means "(0815).

  Although not described here, the “control state information generation unit” (0804) of the “television device” (0801) replaces the “standby control state information generation unit” with the “guidance” of the “remote control device” (0802). The “window portion” (0810) may include “standby guidance window means”.

  The “navigation video information generating means” (0814) has a function of generating navigation video information that is video information of content that can be viewed as navigation information. Specifically, it refers to obtaining video data of viewable content from the viewing unit (0806) and converting it into a format usable as navigation information. “Viewable content” means that each television broadcast channel, recorded video stored in a DVD recorder or the like, VOD content that can be obtained via a network, etc. can be obtained and displayed by the functions of the television device. Refers to some or all of the content. The “navigation video information” includes not only the moving image information of the content but also a still image, a still image converted into a slide show, and an enlarged / reduced one. The generated navigation video information is sent to the remote control device (0802) via the television side communication unit (0805).

  The “navigation video guidance means” (0815) has a function of displaying a navigation video as guidance based on navigation video information that is navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit. Specifically, control state information is acquired from the control state information acquisition unit (0809) and navigation video information is input from the navigation information acquisition unit (0811), and the navigation video information is converted into a guidance display screen and displayed. It has a function. Here, “as a guide” means that navigation video information may be appropriately processed into a guide display.

<Process flow>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, control state information is generated on the television device side (step S0901). Next, navigation video information is generated (step S0902). Then, the generated information is transmitted to the remote control device (step S0903). This is received on the remote control device side (step S0904). Control state information is acquired from the received information (step S0905), and navigation information is acquired (step S0906). Thereafter, the navigation video is displayed as guidance based on the navigation video information in accordance with the acquired control state information (step S0907).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (1001) and a “television device” (1002). The remote control device (1001) includes a “microcomputer” (1003), a “touch panel” (1004), and an “infrared light receiving element” (1005). The “microcomputer” (1003) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1006), a “RAM” (1007), and a “ROM” (1008) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (1002) performs “front microcomputer” (1010) for controlling communication with the remote controller and “infrared light emitting element” (1011), and performs decoding of video and audio, and overall control of various functions. “Back-end LSI” (1012), “RAM” (1013) and “ROM” (1014) connected thereto, “tuner” (1015) for receiving broadcasts, and “LCD” connected via driver LSI (Liquid crystal display) "(1016) and the like. The “front microcomputer” (1010) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1017), a “RAM” (1018), and a “ROM” (1019) in the chip, and is connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, when the control state information in the remote control system changes, a value indicating the state change is stored in the variable V of the RAM (1018) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (1017) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1019), and the control state information data C is generated. On the other hand, content video information is stored in the RAM (1013), and the video information is processed by the back-end LSI and output to the front microcomputer. Then, it is stored in the RAM (1018) as the value of the variable Nv for storing the navigation information data in the front microcomputer (1010). N and C are converted into remote control signals and transmitted from the infrared light emitting element (1011) to the infrared light receiving element (1005) of the remote control device (1001). The transmitted signal is decoded into C and Nv in the microcomputer (1003) of the remote control device (1001). C and Nv are evaluated by the CPU (1006) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1008), and a display screen is generated. This is output to the touch panel (1004) and displayed as a guidance display.

<Brief description of effect>
Thus, in the remote control system of the present embodiment, the remote control device can acquire video information from the television device and display guide information based on the video information. Thereby, for example, the video of the back program channel can be acquired and viewed on the remote control device while viewing a channel that is a television device, or the video information of a related content can be displayed while viewing a certain content. Is possible.

Example 4
<Overview>
In the remote control system of the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the remote control system described in the above embodiment, information indicating the controllable state of normal operation can be acquired when the state of the television apparatus transitions to the controllable state of normal operation. . By transmitting this to the remote control device together with the navigation information, it is possible to stop the display of the guidance information by the remote control device. By such processing, when the television apparatus returns from the standby state, the main body of content guidance display can be smoothly transferred from the remote control apparatus to the television apparatus.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment has a “television device” (1101) and a “remote control device” (1102) based on the remote control system of the second embodiment. The “television device” (1101) includes a “control unit” (1103), a “control state information generation unit” (1104), a “television communication unit” (1105), a “viewing unit” (1106), A “navigation information generation unit” (1107). The “control state information generation unit” (1104) further includes “standby control state information generation means” (1112). The “remote control device” (1102) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (1108), a “control state information acquisition unit” (1109), a “guidance window unit” (1110), and a “navigation information acquisition unit” (1111). ). The “guidance window section” (1110) further includes “standby guidance window means” (1113). Since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. In the remote control system of the present embodiment, the “control state information generation unit” (1104) of the “television device” (1101) replaces the “normally operable control state information generation means” (1116) with the “remote control device” (1102). The “guidance window section” (1110) newly has “stop means” (1117).

  The “normally operable control state information generating means” (1116) has a function of generating normally operable control state information indicating the normally operable control state as the control state information. The “normally operable control state” refers to a state in which at least video or audio is output from the television device (1101) and the television device can be operated by the remote control device. In the “control state information generation unit” (1104), this means obtains the state of the television device (1101) from the control unit (1103) or the like as an input. Generate operable control state information. This information is sent to the remote control device (1102) via the television side communication unit (1105).

  The “stop means” (1117) has a function of stopping the display by the standby guidance window means based on the normally operable control state information acquired as the control state information. The “stop” is to stop the display by the standby guidance window means (1113) and includes a state in which other functions are being displayed. For example, when there is a display indicating a clock in the guidance display by the guidance window unit (1110), if the display is displayed other than during standby, the display is still performed. This means obtains the control state information from the control state information obtaining unit (1109), and if this means an indication of a shift to the normal operation control state, a notification signal is sent to the standby guidance window means (1113). Output.

<Process flow>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, on the television device side, a determination is made as to whether or not the normal operation control state is set (step S1201). If it is determined that the control state is not the normal operation control state, the process of determining whether the control state is the normal operation control state (step S1201) is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the control state is the normal operation controllable state, the normal operation controllable state information is generated (step S1202). Thereafter, the generated information is transmitted to the remote control device (step S1203). This is received on the remote control device side (step S1204). Control state information is acquired from the received information (step S1205). Thereafter, the display is stopped based on the normally operable control state information in accordance with the acquired control state information (step S1206).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (1301) and a “television device” (1302). The remote control device (1301) includes a “microcomputer” (1303), a “touch panel” (1304), and an “infrared light receiving element” (1305). The “microcomputer” (1303) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1306), “RAM” (1307), and “ROM” (1308) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (1302) performs “development of video and audio, and overall control of various functions”, “front microcomputer” (1310) and “infrared light emitting element” (1311) for controlling communication with the remote controller. “Back-end LSI” (1312), “RAM” (1313) and “ROM” (1314) connected thereto, “tuner” (1315) for receiving broadcasts, and “LCD” connected via driver LSI (Liquid crystal display) "(1316) and the like. The “front microcomputer” (1310) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1317), a “RAM” (1318), and a “ROM” (1319) in the chip, and is connected to each other. Yes.

  When the television apparatus enters the normal operable control state, the value of the variable Sp indicating whether or not the standby normal operable control state is changed. The updated value of the variable Sp is output to the front microcomputer (1310) and stored in the variable V of the RAM (1318) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (1317) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1319), and the control state information data C is generated. C is converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light emitting element (1311) to the infrared light receiving element (1305) of the remote control device (1301). The transmitted signal is decoded into C and N in the microcomputer (1303) of the remote control device (1301). C is evaluated by the CPU (1306) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1308), and the standby guidance display on the touch panel (1304) is stopped.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, in the remote control system of the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the remote control system described in the above embodiment, information indicating the controllable state of normal operation when the state of the television apparatus transitions to the controllable state of normal operation. It can be acquired. By transmitting this to the remote control device together with the navigation information, it is possible to stop the display of the guidance information by the remote control device. By such processing, when the television apparatus returns from the standby state, the main body of content guidance display can be smoothly transferred from the remote control apparatus to the television apparatus.

Example 5
<Overview>
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing operations of the remote control device and the television device, and is a diagram for explaining an example of processing by the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, a remote control device (1402) operated by a touch panel accepts content operations. The television apparatus (1401) is currently on standby, and no video or audio is output. Here, the television apparatus (1401) transmits control state information (1403) indicating that it is in a standby state to the remote control apparatus (1402) as control state information. On the screen of the remote control device (1402), the content selection icons arranged in a ring file are slid to the right with the finger on the screen to search for content selection. From the remote control device, “scroll right” and an operation signal (1404) are output to the television device (1401).

  As described above, the remote control system of the present invention can generate control state information (1403) and the like in the television device (1401) and transmit the control state information (1403) to the remote control device (1402). In addition, the remote control device (1402) can receive an operation according to the received information (1403), generate an operation signal, and output it to the television device (1401). For this reason, the remote control device (1402) provides an optimal operation mode for each of the content selection state and the standby state, and generates an accepted operation as an operation signal to the television device. It is possible to send. Therefore, improvement in convenience can be expected especially in a scene where target information is searched from a large amount of contents and functions.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of this embodiment includes a “television device” (1501) and a “remote control device” (1502). The “television device” (1501) includes a “control unit” (1503), a “control state information generation unit” (1504), a “television communication unit” (1505), and a “viewing unit” (1506). Have. The “remote control device” (1502) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (1508), a “control state information acquisition unit” (1509), an “operation information acquisition unit” (1518), and an “operation signal generation unit” ( 1519). In the “television device” (1501), “control unit” (1503), “control state information generation unit” (1504), “television communication unit” (1505), and “viewing unit” (1506). In the “remote control device” (1502), the “remote control side communication unit” (1508) and the “control state information acquisition unit” (1509) have already been described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The feature point in the present embodiment is that the “remote control device” (1502) includes an “operation information acquisition unit” (1518) and an “operation signal generation unit” (1519).

  The “operation information acquisition unit” (1518) has a function of acquiring operation information from a user for operating the television device in the remote control device (1502). “Operation information” is operation input information received by the remote control device (1502), and refers to information detected by a hardware device such as a button, dial, or touch panel and converted into an electrical signal. The acquired operation information is output to an operation signal generation unit (1519) described later. Any type of operation input device may be used as long as it can be equipped with a remote control.

  The “operation signal generation unit” (1519) has a function of generating an operation signal to be transmitted to the television apparatus based on the control state information and the operation information in the remote control device (1502). The “operation signal” is a signal for controlling the television device (1501) transmitted to the television device (1501). This unit converts the operation information input from the operation information acquisition unit (1518) into an operation signal based on the control state information input from the control state information acquisition unit (1509). Thereby, an operation signal reflecting the control state information can be generated.

<Process flow>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, control state information is generated on the television device side (step S1601). Next, the generated information is transmitted to the remote control device (step S1602). This is received on the remote control device side (step S1603). Control state information is acquired from the received information (step S1604). Thereafter, operation information is acquired (step S1605), and an operation signal is generated (step S1606). Next, an operation signal is transmitted to the television device (step S1607), and the operation signal is received from the remote control device on the television device side (step S1608).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (1701) and a “television device” (1702). The remote control device (1701) includes a “microcomputer” (1703), a “touch panel” (1704), and an “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (1705). The “microcomputer” (1703) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1706), “RAM” (1707), and “ROM” (1708) that perform various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “TV device” (1702) performs “front microcomputer” (1710) for controlling communication with the remote controller and “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (1711), and performs overall decoding of video and audio and control of various functions. “Backend LSI” (1712), “RAM” (1713) and “ROM” (1714) connected thereto, “tuner” (1715) for receiving broadcasts, and “Connector” via driver LSI. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) "(1716). The “front microcomputer” (1710) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (1717), a “RAM” (1718), and a “ROM” (1719) in the chip, and is connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, it is assumed that the content selection screen is called on the television apparatus (1702). Then, the value of the control state information variable Sd indicating the content selection screen display held on the RAM (1713) is changed by the back-end LSI (1712). Then, the updated value of the variable Sd is output to the front microcomputer (1710) and stored in the variable V of the RAM (1718) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (1717) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1719), and the control state information data C1 is generated. C1 is converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light receiving / emitting element (1711) to the infrared light receiving / emitting element (1705) of the remote control device (1701). The transmitted signal is decoded into C1 in the microcomputer (1703) of the remote controller (1701). On the other hand, on the touch panel (1704), an operation input is accepted and a predetermined signal is sent to the CPU (1706). Then, C1 is evaluated in the CPU (1706) according to the rules stored in the ROM (1708), and the input operation signal is converted to generate operation signal information C2. C2 is evaluated by the front microcomputer (1710) via the infrared light receiving and emitting elements of the remote control device (1701) and the television device (1702), and becomes a control signal sent to the “back end LSI” (1712) or the like. The control signal changes the state of each device based on the operation signal information.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, according to the remote control system of the present embodiment, the operation system on the remote control device side can be flexibly changed according to the state on the television device side. As a result, it is possible to search and select contents and the like that are efficient and convenient.

Example 6
<Overview>
In the remote control system of the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the remote control system described in the above embodiment, rules for generating operation signals can be held in the remote control device. It is possible to generate an accepted operation signal using this rule and control state information. Thereby, it is possible to generate an operation signal in accordance with the navigation type of the content to be selected. For example, when a content selection operation is performed with a device such as a touch panel, an operation input can be received for an operation in the vertical and horizontal directions and an operation signal can be generated on a navigation screen for selecting a thumbnail of a video by moving the cursor vertically and horizontally. . On the other hand, in the video selection operation by the ring file metaphor, since the selection targets are arranged in a circle, an operation input can be received for an operation in the rotation direction, and an operation signal can be generated.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (1801) and a “remote control device” (1802). The “television device” (1801) includes a “control unit” (1803), a “control state information generation unit” (1804), a “television communication unit” (1805), and a “viewing unit” (1806). Have. The “remote control device” (1802) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (1808), a “control state information acquisition unit” (1809), an “operation information acquisition unit” (1818), and an “operation signal generation unit” ( 1819). Since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. The feature point of this embodiment is that the “remote control device” (1802) has a “rule holding unit” (1820), and the “operation signal generation unit” (1819) has “rule dependency generation means” (1821). Is a point.

  The “rule holding unit” (1820) has a function of holding a rule for generating an operation signal based on the control state information in the remote control device (1802). “Rule” is a rule for converting operation information into an operation signal. For example, in the content selection screen as described above, a rule for interpreting operation information in orthogonal coordinates is applied to the screen of moving the cursor vertically and horizontally, and in the ring file metaphor screen, it is interpreted in coordinates of the rotation system. It is possible to apply rules.

  The “rule dependency generating means” (1821) has a function of generating an operation signal in accordance with the held rule in the remote control device (1802). Specifically, an operation signal is generated by applying the rule conditions held in the rule holding unit (1820) to the operation information input from the operation information acquisition unit (1818).

<Process flow>
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow on the remote control device side in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when information is received from the television apparatus (step S1901), control state information is acquired (step S1902). Next, operation information is acquired (step S1903), and an operation signal is generated based on the held rule (step S1904). Thereafter, an operation signal is transmitted to the television apparatus (step S1905).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (2001) and a “television device” (2002). The remote control device (2001) includes a “microcomputer” (2003), a “touch panel” (2004), and an “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (2005). The “microcomputer” (2003) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (2006), “RAM” (2007), and “ROM” (2008) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (2002) performs “front microcomputer” (2010) for controlling communication with the remote controller, “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (2011), decoding video and audio, and controlling various functions in general. “Back-end LSI” (2012), “RAM” (2013) and “ROM” (2014) connected thereto, “tuner” (2015) for receiving broadcasts, and “driver” connected via the driver LSI LCD (liquid crystal display) "(2016). The “front microcomputer” (2010) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (2017), a “RAM” (2018), and a “ROM” (2019) in the chip, which are connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, it is assumed that the content selection screen is called on the television device (2002). Then, control state information data C3 is generated in the front microcomputer (2010) of the television apparatus. C3 is converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light receiving / emitting element (2011) to the infrared light receiving / emitting element (2005) of the remote control device (2001). The transmitted signal is decoded into C3 in the microcomputer (2003) of the remote control device (2001). On the other hand, on the touch panel (2004), an operation input is accepted and a predetermined signal is sent to the CPU (2006). Then, C3 is evaluated by the CPU (2006) according to the rule R stored in the ROM (2008), and the input operation signal is converted to generate operation signal information C4. C4 is evaluated by the front microcomputer (2010) via the infrared light receiving and emitting elements of the remote control device (2001) and the television device (2002), and becomes a control signal sent to the “back end LSI” (2012) or the like. The control signal changes the state of each device based on the operation signal information.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, according to the remote control system of this embodiment, the remote control device can further transmit an operation signal to the television device based on the operation signal generation rule held in the device. As a result, the input device is controlled so as to accept the optimum operation in accordance with the navigation mode (for example, two-dimensional navigation or circular coordinate system navigation) included in the control state information in the selection scene of content and the like. Can be processed.

Example 7
<Overview>
In the remote control system of this embodiment, in addition to the processing of the remote control system described in the above embodiment, it is possible to acquire the amount of content to be selected in the television device, and to transmit this as control state information to the remote control device. is there. The remote control device can perform processing for generating an operation signal in accordance with the amount of content. By such processing, in the navigation of content selection, when the amount of content to be searched is very large, processing such as increasing the amount of scanning of the content to be searched with respect to the operation input can be performed. Then, since the user can perform information search at a speed suitable for the amount of content, convenience is improved.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the remote control system of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the remote control system of the present embodiment includes a “television device” (2101) and a “remote control device” (2102). The “television device” (2101) includes a “control unit” (2103), a “control state information generation unit” (2104), a “television communication unit” (2105), and a “viewing unit” (2106). Have. The “remote control device” (2102) includes a “remote control side communication unit” (2108), a “control state information acquisition unit” (2109), an “operation information acquisition unit” (2118), and an “operation signal generation unit” ( 2119). Since these structural requirements have already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the “television device” (2101) is “content amount information acquisition unit” (2122) and the “operation signal generation unit” (2119) of “remote control device” (2102) is “content”. And “quantity dependent generation means” (2123).

  The “content amount information acquisition unit” (2122) has a function of acquiring content amount information, which is information indicating the amount of viewable content, for transmission to the remote control device in the television device (2101). The “content amount” is the amount to be selected on the content selection screen. Further, it is not necessarily limited to the number of selection targets themselves, but may be the density of content to be selected with respect to the screen. The “content” is not limited to those recorded on the medium as described above, but also includes individual functions to be selected such as a function selection screen. The “content amount information” is included in the control state information in the control state information generation unit (2104), and is sent to the remote control device (2102) via the television side communication unit (2105).

  The “content amount dependency generating means” (2123) has a function for generating an operation signal in accordance with the acquired content amount information in the remote control device (2102). “Generate operation signal according to content amount” means that a bias according to the content amount is generated when an operation signal is generated from operation information input from the operation information acquisition unit. For example, in a navigation screen in which a cursor is moved horizontally to select content, it is necessary to move the cursor at high speed as the content increases. For this reason, when one unit of input is entered on the right side as the operation information, a process such as amplifying it to obtain 10 units can be considered. In addition, if content options are arranged at high density on one screen, the cursor movement operation in the screen space becomes delicate. In contrast to generating an operation signal for unit movement, processing such as requiring input of operation information of 5 units to prevent erroneous operation can be considered.

<Process flow>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in the remote control system of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, content amount information is first acquired (step S2201). Next, control state information is generated (step S2202). Next, information is transmitted to the remote control device (S2203). When the remote control device receives information from the television device (step S2204), it acquires control state information (step S2205). After obtaining the operation information (step S2206), an operation signal corresponding to the content amount information is generated (step S2207), and the operation signal is transmitted to the television apparatus (step S2208). This is received on the television device side (step S2209).

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the remote control system when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the guidance display processing of the remote control system will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the remote control system includes a “remote control device” (2301) and a “television device” (2302). The remote control device (2301) includes a “microcomputer” (2303), a “touch panel” (2304), and an “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (2305). The “microcomputer” (2303) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (2306), “RAM” (2307), and “ROM” (2308) for performing various arithmetic processes in the chip. It is connected to the. The “television device” (2302) performs “front microcomputer” (2310) for controlling communication with the remote controller and “infrared light emitting / receiving element” (2311), and decodes video and audio and controls various functions in general. “Back-end LSI” (2312), “RAM” (2313) and “ROM” (2314) connected to it, “Tuner” (2315) for receiving broadcasts, and “Connected” via driver LSI LCD (liquid crystal display) "(2316). The “front microcomputer” (2310) has a “CPU (central processing unit)” (2317), a “RAM” (2318), and a “ROM” (2319) in the chip, and is connected to each other. Yes.

  Here, it is assumed that the content selection screen is called on the television device (2302). Then, the value of the control state information variable Sd indicating the content selection screen display held on the RAM (2313) is changed by the back-end LSI (2312). Then, the updated value of the variable Sd and N indicating the amount of content to be selected are acquired and output to the front microcomputer (2310). In the front microcomputer (2310), these values are stored in the variable V of the RAM (2318) in the chip. Then, V is evaluated in the CPU (2317) according to the rules stored in the ROM (2319), and control state information data C5 is generated. C5 is converted into a remote control signal and transmitted from the infrared light receiving / emitting element (2311) to the infrared light receiving / emitting element (2305) of the remote control device (2301). The transmitted signal is decoded into C5 in the microcomputer (2303) of the remote controller (2301). On the other hand, on the touch panel (2304), an operation input is accepted and a predetermined signal is sent to the CPU (2306). Then, C5 is evaluated by the CPU (2306) according to the rule stored in the ROM (2308) and the value N representing the amount of content, and the input operation signal is converted to generate operation signal information C6. C6 is evaluated by the front microcomputer (2310) via the infrared light emitting / receiving elements of the remote control device (2301) and the television device (2302), and becomes a control signal sent to the “back end LSI” (2312) or the like. The control signal changes the state of each device based on the operation signal information.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, by the remote control system of the present embodiment, the remote control device acquires the content amount information acquired by the television device, and the operation signal can be generated in accordance with the acquired content amount information. Thereby, processing for increasing the movement amount for one operation according to the amount of content can be performed. As a result, a quick and convenient search and selection process is possible.

The figure for demonstrating an example of the process by the remote control system of Example 1. FIG. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 1. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the remote control system according to the first embodiment. Schematic showing an example of a hardware configuration in the remote control system according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 2. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the remote control system according to the second embodiment. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 2. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 3. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in a remote control system of Example 3. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 3. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 4 A flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in a remote control system of Example 4. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 4. The figure for demonstrating an example of the process by the remote control system of Example 5. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 5. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the remote control system according to the fifth embodiment. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 5. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 6. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in a remote control system of Example 6. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 6. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the remote control system of Example 7. A flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the remote control system of the seventh embodiment. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the remote control system of Example 7.

Explanation of symbols

0201 Television device 0202 Remote control device 0203 Control unit 0204 Control state generation unit 0205 Television side communication unit 0206 Viewing unit 0208 Remote control side communication unit 0209 Control state information acquisition unit

Claims (5)

A viewing section for viewing content;
A control unit for bringing the internal device into a predetermined control state;
A control state information generating unit for generating control state information for transmission to the remote control device;
A navigation information generating unit that generates navigation information constituting a guidance display displayed on a guidance window unit of a remote control device described later;
A television-side communication unit for communicating with the remote control device;
A television set having
A remote-side communication unit for communicating with the television device;
A control state information acquisition unit for acquiring control state information from the television device;
A navigation information acquisition unit for acquiring navigation information from the television device;
A guidance window for displaying guidance based on navigation information in a display format according to the control state information;
A remote control device having
A remote control system consisting of The control state information generation unit
Standby control state information generating means for generating standby control state information indicating the standby control state as control state information;
The guidance window section
The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a standby guidance window means for performing the display based on standby control state information acquired as control state information. The navigation information generator
Navigation video information generating means for generating navigation video information that is video information of content that can be viewed as navigation information;
The guidance window section
3. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a navigation video guidance unit that displays a navigation video as guidance based on navigation video information that is navigation information acquired by the navigation information acquisition unit. The control state information generation unit
A normal operation controllable state generating unit for generating normal operation controllable state information indicating the controllable state of normal operation as control state information;
The guidance window section
4. The remote control system according to claim 2 or claim 3 dependent on claim 2, further comprising stop means for stopping display by said standby guidance window means based on normally operable control state information acquired as control state information. A remote control system comprising a television device and a remote control device,
The operation of the TV device
Viewing steps for viewing content,
A control step for bringing the internal device into a predetermined control state;
A control state information generating step for generating control state information for transmission to the remote control device;
A navigation information generating step for generating navigation information constituting a guidance display displayed in a guidance window of a remote control device described later;
A television side communication step for communicating with the remote control device;
Have
The operation of the remote control device
A remote control side communication step for communicating with the television device;
A control state information acquisition step for acquiring control state information from the television device;
A navigation information acquisition step of acquiring navigation information from the television device;
A guidance window display step for displaying guidance based on navigation information in a display format corresponding to the control state information;
A method of operating a remote control system.

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